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Using metacognitions to identify emotionally vulnerable college students
Usha Barahmand1, Abbas Abolghasemi, Saleh Jahanmohammadi
1Department of Psychology, University of Mohaghegh, Ardabili, Ardabil, Iran. ub@uma.ac.ir
American Journal of Health Behavior
|April 30, 2008
Summary
Negative metacognitions, or unhelpful thinking patterns, are linked to mental health issues. Targeting these beliefs may help prevent future psychological problems.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Clinical Psychology
- Cognitive Psychology
Background:
- Metacognition plays a crucial role in regulating cognitive processes.
- Negative metacognitive beliefs have been implicated in various psychological disorders.
- Identifying individuals at risk for psychopathology is essential for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between negative metacognitions and mental health indicators.
- To determine if negative metacognitions can predict future psychopathology.
- To identify specific metacognitive beliefs associated with mental health outcomes.
Main Methods:
- A sample of 378 undergraduates completed the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ) and the Metacognitions Questionnaire (MCQ).
- Statistical analyses were performed to examine associations between metacognitive beliefs and mental health indices.
- Curvilinear relationships and variance explained by specific metacognitive factors were assessed.
Main Results:
- A significant curvilinear association was found between negative metacognitive beliefs and social dysfunction.
- Beliefs about uncontrollability and danger explained 29% of the variance in mental health outcomes.
- Beliefs about cognitive competence and general negative beliefs differentiated individuals with high anxiety and depression.
Conclusions:
- Modification of negative metacognitive beliefs holds potential for preventing psychopathology.
- Understanding metacognitive processes can aid in identifying individuals at risk.
- Interventions targeting metacognitions may be beneficial for mental health improvement.
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